Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

revered

American  
[ri-veerd] / rɪˈvɪərd /

adjective

  1. held in high regard tinged with awe; venerated.

    Many of our most revered heroes were actually outlaws or rebels, fighting for a cause.


verb

  1. the simple past tense and past participle of revere.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of revered

revere 1 ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )

Explanation

If someone is revered, it means he or she is held in deep respect and devotion. Religious leaders, saints, and martyrs are often considered as revered. Celebrities? Not so much. There's a touch of the other worldly about revered. The origins of revered reveal something about its slightly scary, awesome nature. It comes from the Latin word revereri, meaning "to fear," and the addition of the "re" at the beginning is an expression of intensive force, so the word literally means "to greatly fear." People whom are revered are not necessarily those we feel most comfortable around; we are too busy holding them in awe.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing revered

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Revered producer and saxophonist Josh Johnson, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Anna Butterss and drummer Deantoni Parks also bring their considerable chops to the mix, evoking divergent moods while maintaining a signature exuberance throughout.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Revered in Southern cooking, potlikker is super-flavorful and packed with vitamins and minerals.

From Washington Times • Sep. 26, 2023

Revered as a model Roman woman, Lucretia embodied sexual purity and loyalty to her husband at the expense of her safety, her autonomy, and even her life.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Revered as modern jazz luminaries, McBride and Moran hold eight Grammys and a MacArthur fellowship between them.

From New York Times • Apr. 17, 2023

Revered in letters and in art as well; Thy place becomes the scorn of every one, Doomed now to burn beneath the summer sun.

From Conservation Reader by Fairbanks, Harold W. (Harold Wellman)

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "revered" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com